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Friday, November 28, 2014

"Unkinking The Garden Hose" and Other New Therapies

Well, Bob started his new stroke rehab program at the fitness center, and, I must say, it is totally different than any therapy he's done before. Usually, at rehab, the PT's would just push and push Bob to get out of that chair, stand up and walk, usually at the first session. And when Bob couldn't keep up to their expectations, well, he was booted out the door...

This trainer is exactly opposite and is taking things slowly. Starting with Bob's neck and what the PT calls "unkinking the garden hose":

The trainer also says that Bob is not ready to stand up and walk yet. He needs to work on strengthening all the individual muscles needed for the job first:

And another different thing about this stroke rehab, they actually invite you to take photos and videos! Unlike the other places we went where signs are posted all over that recording/photographing is STRICTLY prohibited. (I always had to sneak those photos in....)

The idea is that by videoing the session and taking it home, you can review what you learned.

And this PT has not given up on Bob's paralyzed right arm/hand.

All I can say is, I wish we had this type of therapy four years ago...

PS: If you experience any problem with sound quality/picture quality on these videos, click on the YouTube icon to go directly to YouTube for a better viewing experience.

8 comments:

Are you feeling encouraged? I sure hope so! I certainly have a renewed faith seeing all these videos! Great exercises - great great great!!! I found myself doing the hand clasp (with Bob) and moving my arms in all directions. I'd forgotten how just doing this one exercise engages so many core muscle groups! Proud of you BOB!!! It's a lot of work, but stay with it! You're doing FANTASTIC! I've incredible amounts of faith in you!Stay with it Diane! Glad you both are at this place with this man! <3 Thanks for posting the videos!

1. The PT is right. To stand up you have to lean forward, squeeze your butt, and then straighten and lift your chest. If any of these components are missing a person will fall backwards and take the caregiver with them. 2. I'm glad to see the PT involve Bob in thinking through the process of standing up instead of just yanking him into standing.3. The videos will help Bob understand what the PT means when he says "that's good."4. I'm glad to see the PT have Bob move his shoulder blade up and down. Since I have tightness there too I know how good it feels to relax these muscles.5. Way to go Diane for making all this happen. I am picturing you less stressed out because the new van makes transporting Bob much easier.

That is fantastic Diane.. Ricks dad was paralyzed from the neck down and a chiropractor worked with him in much the same way.. Eventually he walked and led a pretty normal life.. The chiropractor came to their home every day for one year..His dad was bit by a dog with rabies and when they gave him the rabies shot he became paralyzed..that was in the late 1940's when the shot was new..

Dear DianeGreat to hear that things are looking much better with you guys. My mother suffered a haemorrhagic stroke one year back.Your blog has helped me a lot during this dark period. Now we are on road to recovery.N I wish the same for Bob.All the best with therapy.God blessMitali

Thanks for posting Bobs videos they have encouraged me to try that bit harder with doing my exercises. Sincce my last episode I have not done anywhere near enough exercise and keep putting it off. X Don

Welcome To Our Pink House

About Me

Bob and I were married 09/16/94. He is my soulmate, the love of my life. Bob is an artist and I am a writer.
On 10/20/10, Bob, following his doctor's advice, underwent a carotid endarterectomy. When I left him in ICU that night, he was fine and I thought in good hands. Two hours after my departure, a nurse noted on his chart that Bob's speech was slurred and his right arm was paralyzed. The nurse did not call a doctor. Later that night, the nurse noted that Bob could not move his right arm or leg, still a doctor was not called. The next morning, the nurse noted that he was paralyzed on the right side, a "12" on the Glasgow Coma Scale, disoriented and confused, but no doctor was informed. I arrived at 9:00 a.m. and immediately called for the doctor. He was rushed to surgery. It was 12 hours too late. The CAT scan showed 2/3 of his brain had been damaged. I was told he would not survive. Somehow, he did.
Bob was discharged from the hospital on 12/31/10 and, although the hospital wanted him sent to a nursing home, I brought him home instead. This is the story of our journey since that day. This is also a love story.
(Bob passed away 5/28/15 and I am trying to survive....)